French Weekender 2007

The Plan.

It's a simple plan, which worked in 2006 so not a lot to change. We grab a load of minis and catch the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Le Havre on Thursday night 22nd March 2007, spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday in France and return on Monday at 8.20 pm but using the Channel Tunnel from Calais to Dover. We will be based in Le Vinci Loire Valley Hotel in Amboise in the Loire valley.

The Sell.

3 nights in France, one night in a cabin on the ferry, loads of mini adventures and some fine French cuisine to boot! All for approximately £150.00 per person assuming you are travelling as a couple. That gives you more holiday for less money, compared even to last year's French Weekender.

The usual ingredients will be there from our unique "cappuccino style" tourism to our quiz and fun evening and in addition this year, each person will be given a "mission" in a sealed envelope on the boat sailing out - but don't worry it is all harmless fun!

Delighted to say that the trip already has such a healthy subscription!

Le Vinci Loire Valley at night

Le Vinci Loire Valley

The Ferry.

LD Lines You need to book a cabin on the way out. This is an overnight crossing sailing on Thursday 22nd March at 11pm from Portsmouth to Le Havre. Cost will be £102.50 for a 4 berth cabin (as that is all that is left) and 1 car. When you enter the dates it will come up with the price for a standard seat; click on this and then you will get the option to book the cabin.

The Return Ferry.

The Channel Tunnel Please book the 8.20 pm crossing from Calais to Dover on Monday 26th March 2007. Current price - £49.00

12 Avenue Emile Gounin,Amboise, 37400, FRPhone: 33(0)2 47 57 10 90Fax: 33(0)2 47 57 17 52The Best Western Le Vinci Loire Valley is a contemporary style hotel entirely renovated and air-conditioned in 2006, located only a three minutes drive from Amboise historical center and castle. A lift leads to the 26 redecorated and air-conditioned rooms, which offer friendly, peaceful and elegant environment with all the modern comforts. For a tourist vacation, discovering the Châteaux de la Loire or professional stay, the Best Western Le Vinci Loire Valley hotel is the perfect stopover which offers you excellent value. Free high-speed Internet access in all rooms and a private enclosed car park.The webpage for the hotel gives a variety of rooms but budget for £50.00 a night per room and you have this well covered.

Amboise

Le Vinci Loire Valley

This is our base for the weekend

The Itinerary.

Day One - Le Havre to Amboise

Day Two - Clos Luce (Da Vinci Museum), Chenonceau and Chambord

Day Three - Azay le Rideau, Rou Marson and Villandry.

Day Four - Amboise to Calais.

Breakfast at Monet's Garden in Giverny including a tour of the garden.

Morning at the home of Leonardo da Vinci in Amboise which is now a museum.

Morning at the chateau at Azay le Rideau.

Morning coffee at Chateaudun.

Lunch in Versailles with a visit to the Palace.

Lunch at Chenonceau where the famous chateau straddles the Cher River.

Lunch in some Trogladytic caves at Rou Marson.

Lunch in Rouen

Dinner at L'Amboiserie in Amboise after checking into our hotel.

Afternoon at the wonderfully imposing chateau at Chambord.

Afternoon at Villandry with its famous gardens.

Dinner in Calais.

The Planning Party

The adventure began with a small party to plan the date, the destination, the hotel and the ferry crossings. Pictures are courtesy of Paa100.